وَسَكَنتُمْ فِى مَسَٰكِنِ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَتَبَيَّنَ لَكُمْ كَيْفَ فَعَلْنَا بِهِمْ وَضَرَبْنَا لَكُمُ ٱلْأَمْثَالَ
Important Words:
امثال (clear parables) is the plural of مثل (mathal) or مثل (mithal) and is derived from the verb مثل (mathala). مثل فلانا means, he became like such a one. مثل فلانا بفلان means, he likened or compared such a one with such a one. مثل (mathal) or مثل (mithal) means, (1) a description, condition, state, case etc.; (2) argument; (3) discourse, as in بسط له مثلا i.e. he lengthened to him his discourse; (4) lesson or example, as فجعلنا ھم سلفا و مثلا للاخرین i.e. We made them a precedent and an example to coming generations (43:57); (5) a proverb, as they say تمثل البیت او باالبیت i.e. he used the verse as a proverb; (6) a sign, as in جعلناہ مثلا لبنی اسرائیل (43:60) i.e. We made him (Jesus) a sign to the children of Israel (Lane & Aqrab). See also 2:18, 107; 6:39.
Commentary:
Many people dwell in or near the places where by-gone peoples, now ruined, dwelt before them, yet they do not benefit by their example and refuse to believe till they themselves are punished.